Sofa table with adjustable height

ABSTRACT

A sofa table is height adjustable comprises horizontal table top with all or a portion that can be raised in an upward direction laterally using a height adjustable telescopic means. This capability will expand the use of the sofa table to serve the functions of an ordinary table that can be used for activities like writing or eating. The undercarriage includes an inclined adjustable telescopic means pivoted to the table top and the bottom of the leg frame assembly to enable sliding upwards and downwards movements. A controlling fixture is integrated into the adjustable telescopic means to lock the table top at the desired height level within its range of adjustment. A releasable angled lever is utilized to engage and disengage the locking mechanism is connected to the telescopic means. A press on the lever will disengage the locking mechanism and while holding down the lever and with a lifting force applied simultaneously on the table top will allow the table top to elevate to the desired height within its range of adjustment.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a sofa table and more particularly to a sofa table having a top, part or all of which is adjustable as to height. In particular, this invention allows a sofa table to be used as dining table or writing table while sitting on an ordinary sofa.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] The limited space available in many town houses as well as apartment imposes to take the greatest advantage of the available space. In particular, it is desirable to use the same sofa table for dining in additional to serving its originally intended purpose like repository for books, magazines and the like. Sofa table is also used to place food and beverages either while watching television or receiving guests, it is known that conventional sofa table usually has a top at the same level as the sofa, therefore it is necessary to bend over to reach the dish, it is not only clumsy and not ergonomic but could also be a difficult task for people with physical limitations to reach a level so much lower than that to which one is used to.

[0003] It is the intention of this invention to address the above-mentioned limitation of a sofa table. Therefore, when it is needed, a part of the table top of the sofa table can be raised and converted to suit the needed height, for example one can enjoy a meal on the raised portion of the sofa table while sitting on the same sofa. Books, magazines and other stuffs that are placed on the sofa table can be left alone untouched on the other portion of the sofa table. Upon completion of the meal, the raised portion of the table top can again be reposition back to its original place, the sofa table can be easily and swiftly transformed back to an ordinary sofa table.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable means to a sofa table that enables users to elevate the height of a portion of the sofa table and transform the sofa table into a table with higher top.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable mechanism to enable a portion of the sofa table to be raised to the desired height. It is a further object of the present invention to provide the necessary mechanism to engage and disengage the locking mechanism so that the sofa table can conveniently and shiftily be adjusted to a desired height. It is also paramount important to ensure that the elevated sofa table is well supported and balanced in weight due to the variation in the gravity level for different portions of the table, in order to avoid the table being toppled.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a sofa table includes a horizontal table top supported by a leg frame assembly and at least a portion of the table top being a height adjustable part. The table top portions and all its supporting members can be at any size or length joined rigidly by connection means to each other to form the sofa table. All parts could be of any materials, could be of plain or incorporated with any external design or crafting in order to improving its appearance for the purpose to attract buyer.

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, an adjustable telescopic means with at least one end pivotally connected to the adjustable section of the table top, another end pivotally connected to the leg frame assembly of the stationary table section leg means at the lower part of the said sofa table, acting like an inclined strut supporting load from the said adjustable section of the table top. The design and placement of the adjustable telescopic means is essential in order to provide stability to the sofa table. In general, the pivoting location is at proximity whereby the means can provide the equilibrium support to the table top at any height. If more than one of such telescopic means are needed to support heavy duty sofa table, these adjustable means can be pivoted at equidistance to share the load so that the table will be at all time in equilibrium state. In another aspect of the invention, the adjustable telescopic means can be operated either mechanically or electrically, for example those mechanism or system that could provide upward and downward movements like piston and cushion, pneumatic cylinder, tube and rod, threaded cylindrical rod are all could be used. For the mechanism that is electrically operated, an on board battery is needed in order to supply the necessary power. However, the latter design is not so favorable as motor as well as the battery have to be periodically serviced, therefore this indirectly will add extra burden to the cost.

[0008] A controlling fixture is incorporated unto the adjustable telescopic means to allow the adjustable section of the sofa table to be locked at any desired level within the range of the allowable height. The controlling fixture consist a compressible tapered portion and a resilient means to lock movements of the movable outer tube.

[0009] A releasable angled lever loaded with spring is pivoted in at a corner of the bottom side of the adjustable table top section to engage and disengage the controlling fixture along the adjustable telescopic means.

[0010] In order to provide further stability as well as enhance the smooth upward and downward movements for the adjustable section of the table top, the elongated supporting member of the adjustable section of the table top is engaged in a receiving slot. The incorporation of roller and railing system could be included to further assist smoother sliding movements. Extra members incorporated unto the stationary portion of the table are also intended to counterbalance those extra moment of force created by the extended table top portion to avoid the said table from being toppled.

[0011] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a height adjustable sofa table comprising a horizontal table top supported by a leg frame assembly, whereby the table top having at least a section being height adjustable; an adjustable telescopic means having a movable member with one end connected to the adjustable section of the table top at a first mounting point and a stationary member having the top surface slidably engaged with the bottom surface of the movable member with one end connected to the lower part of the leg frame assembly at a second mounting point acting like an inclined strut supporting load from the adjustable section of table top; and characterised in that a controlling fixture includes a slidable inclined block having a resilient gripper attached on the top surface with an elongated rod mounted through the entire length of the slidable inclined block, whereby the slidable inclined block is slidably engaged with a fixed inclined block at the stationary member to enable the resilient gripper releasably engage the movable member for adjusting the adjustable section of the table top at any desired level within the range of the allowable height.

[0012] The stationary member includes a channel along the length of the stationary member and a housing with the fixed inclined block at the inner bottom of the housing for accommodating the controlling fixture.

[0013] The adjustable telescopic means further comprising an releasable angled fixture loaded with resilient means pivotally mounted at the bottom surface of the adjustable table top section adjacent the first mounting point to engage and disengage the controlling fixture along the adjustable telescopic means.

[0014] The releasable angled fixture to engage and disengage the controlling fixture along the adjustable telescopic means is via the elongated rod of the slidable inclined block, whereby the adjustable section of the table top is raised when the releasable angled lever is engaged and pressed against the elongated rod in the downwards direction thus the controlling fixture is lowered by the downward sliding against the fixed inclined block to disengage the resilient gripper towards the stationary member and the locking mechanism hence is released and disengaged to enable the movable member to slide along said stationary member

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the table in its normal position.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a side view of the sofa table of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a side view of the table in its height-adjusted position.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a detail of the adjustable telescopic means.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a detail of the mechanism involved when it is in the un-locking mode, whereby the movable top is released to be freely adjusted for the desired height.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a detail of the mechanism involved when it is in the locking mode, whereby the movable top is locked at the desired height.

[0021]FIG. 7 shows the side view of the telescopic means of the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The present invention is a sofa table having a top or a portion of that top which can be elevated and to be used as support for eating and writing. FIG. 1 illustrates the horizontal top of the table preferably comprising of at least two table top sections (1, 2). At least one of the sections can be elevated to a higher level with the attachment of an adjustable means at the bottom of the table top. The table top sections (1, 2) can be of arbitrary formed or combined as a single piece to accommodate the final design preference and requirements.

[0023] In the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, the table top is supported by a leg frame assembly (4). An adjustable telescopic means (6) having one end pivotally mounted at the adjustable section (2) of the table top at a first mounting point (8), and the other end pivotally mounted to the lower part of the leg frame assembly (4) at a second mounting point (7) unto the leg means which is connected to the stationary section (1) of the sofa table, acting like an inclined strut supporting load from the adjustable section of the table top. The adjustable telescopic means (6) pivoting location on the adjustable section (2) of the table top is best at a proximity whereby the telescopic means (6) can provide the equilibrium support to the table top at any height, more than one of such means can be pivoted at equidistance to share the load if stronger support for the table top is required. The pivoting locations for both ends of the telescopic means (6) are critical because these will determine the balancing performance of the table. If the adjustable section (2) of the table top is extended too far away from the center axis of the table, it is more susceptible from being toppled due to moment of force; if weights or downward pressure caused by objects placed on the table top are not equally spread out.

[0024] In another words, any moments of force born by one side of the table has to be equilibrated by collective weights of the other side in order to ensure a well-balanced table. The adjustable telescopic means (6) can be operated either mechanically or electrically, for example those mechanism that could provide upward and downward movements like piston and cushion, pneumatic cylinder, tube and rod, threaded cylindrical rod are all could be used. For the mechanism that is electrically operated, an on board battery is needed in order to supply the power needed to the telescopic means (6). However, the latter design is not so favorable as motor as well as the battery have to be periodically serviced, therefore indirectly will add extra burden to the cost.

[0025]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the adjusted sofa table, whereby the adjustable section (2) of the sofa table includes an elongated supporting member (40) fixed at the bottom surface of the adjustable section (2) of table top in an incline position. The elongated supporting member (40) is slidably engaged in a receiving slot (9) which is a hollow bar having an opening at the upper end and the lower end mounted at the stationary side of the leg means in a corresponding incline position preferably at the point nearby the second mounting point (7). This is to improve the slidability of the adjustable section (2) of the sofa table as well as to provide extra balance and support to the table top. In addition, the supporting member (40) could also include the utilization of roller and railing system in order to further assist a smoother sliding upwards and downward movements of the adjustable section (2) of the sofa table. In addition, extra members incorporated unto the side of the table are also intended to counterbalance those extra moment of force created by the extended table top portion to avoid the table from being toppled.

[0026]FIG. 4 illustrates the details of the adjustable telescopic means (6) and all its components. The telescopic means (6) itself consisting of two parts; a stationary rod (10) which is pivotally connected to the lower part of the leg frame assembly (4) at the second mounting point (7) unto the leg means which is connected to the stationary section (1) of the sofa table. and a movable outer tube (11) having one end connected to the adjustable section (2) of the table top which can be slide along the stationary rod (10). This movable outer tube (11) is responsible for the height adjustment of the sofa table. The outer tube (11) can be made of any material that is strong enough to provide a rigid structural support to the table top. The outer tube (11) includes a sliding inner tube (18) slidable within the outer tube (11) and a controlling fixture (13) which includes a compressible tapered portion (12) and a resilient means (14) with one end mounted to the compressible tapered portion (12) and the other end mounted to the end of the outer tube (11) which is adjacent the second mounting point (7). The narrower part (15) of the compressible tapered portion (12) is engaged with the stationary rod (10) as a stopper when in released position. This narrower part (15) of the compressible tapered portion (12) is engaged with one end of the sliding inner tube (18). The resilient means (14) used in a preferred embodiment is a spring. The controlling fixture (13) is incorporated unto the adjustable telescopic means (6) to allow the adjustable table top section (2) of the sofa table to be locked at any desired level within the range of the allowable height.

[0027] An angled lever (17) loaded with resilient means (not shown) is pivotally mounted at the bottom surface of the adjustable table top section (2) adjacent the first mounting point (8) to engage and disengage the controlling fixture (13) along the adjustable telescopic means (6).

[0028] The working principle of mechanism that enables the height adjusting is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The adjustable section (2) of the table top can be raised when the angled lever (17) is engaged and pressed against the sliding inner tube (18) in the downwards direction. The spring (14) of the controlling fixture (13) that is located in the other end of the movable outer tube (11) thus compressed by the downward pressure and the compressible tapered portion (12) of the controlling fixture (13) is pushed outwardly and the locking mechanism hence is released or disengaged, therefore enable the movable outer tube (11) to slide along the stationary rod (10).

[0029] Once the angled lever (17) is released, the downward force is withdrawn, thus causing the initially compressed spring (14) to push back the movable outer tube (11) in the opposite direction and subsequently cause the compressible tapered portion (12) to engage with the stationary tube (10) and grip tightly unto the stationary tube (10) for locking the table top at the desired position. Other suitable locking mechanism of the telescopic means (6) can also be used.

[0030]FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the locking mechanism for the telescopic means (6) of the sofa table. The adjustable telescopic means (6) comprising a stationary member (20) having one end connected to the lower part of the leg frame assembly (4) at the second mounting point (7) unto the leg means which is connected to the stationary section (1) of the sofa table and a movable member (21) having one end connected to the adjustable section (2) of the table top, whereby the movable member (21) having the bottom surface slidably engaged with the top surface of the stationary member (20). The stationary member (20) includes a channel (27) along the length of the stationary member (20) and a housing having a fixed inclined block (28) at the inner bottom of the housing to accommodate a controlling fixture (23). The controlling fixture (23) having a corresponding slidable inclined block (29) with an elongated rod (26) mounted through the entire length of the slidable inclined block (29). The slidable inclined block (26) is slidably engaged with the fixed inclined block (28) of the housing. The elongated rod (26) comprises a resilient means (24) which is a spring having one end connected to the wider part of the slidable inclined block (29) and the other end with a stopper (25) which is a washer to prevent the spring (24) further pushed out of the housing into the channel (27). The top surface of the slidable inclined block (29) is attached with a resilient gripper (30). The slidable inclined block (29) may further includes a guide block formed at the bottom surface of the slidable inclined block (29) and the fixed inclined block (28) includes a passage for receiving the guide block for sliding thereto.

[0031] The working principle of the locking mechanism for the second embodiment is almost similar with the first embodiment of the sofa table. An angled lever (17) is rotatably engaged with the other end of the elongated rod (26) that enables the height adjusting of the table top. The adjustable section (2) of the table top can be raised when the angled lever (17) is engaged and pressed against the elongated rod (26) in the downwards direction. The slidable inclined block (29) is pushed towards the spring (24) and thus the controlling fixture (23) lowered and the locking mechanism hence is released or disengaged, therefore enable the movable member (21) to slide along the stationary member (20). When the angled lever (17) is disengaged with the elongated rod (26), the spring (24) will push the slidable inclined block (29) and thus the block (29) raised to enable the resilient gripper (30) to engage with the movable member (21)

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the slidable inclined block (29) is formed without the resilient gripper (30) but provided with an additional vertical plate (not shown) partially incorporated at the rear part of the slidable inclined block (29) as a protrusion to engage with the bottom surface of the movable member (21) for adjusting said adjustable section (2) of the table top at any desired level within the range of the allowable height. The working principle of the locking mechanism for the third embodiment is similar with the locking mechanism of the second embodiment of the sofa table

[0033] Preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention have now been described in detail. It is to be noted, however, that this description of these specific embodiments is merely illustrative of the principles underlying the inventive concept. It is therefore contemplated that various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, be apparent to persons skilled in the art. For instance, it is obvious the one skilled in the art of the present invention that alternate embodiments of the present sofa table can include different shape and means of extendable mechanism. 

1. A height adjustable sofa table comprising: a horizontal table top supported by a leg frame assembly, whereby said table top having at least a section being height adjustable; an adjustable telescopic means having a movable outer tube with one end connected to the adjustable section of said table top at a first mounting point and a stationary rod slidably engaged within said movable outer tube with one end connected to the lower part of said leg frame assembly at a second mounting point acting like an inclined strut supporting load from said adjustable section of table top; and characterised in that a controlling fixture having a compressible tapered portion incorporated within said movable outer tube and releasably engage said stationary rod of said adjustable telescopic means for adjusting said adjustable section of the table top at any desired level within the range of the allowable height.
 2. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustable telescopic means further comprising a releasable angled fixture loaded with resilient means pivotally mounted at the bottom surface of said adjustable table top section adjacent said first mounting point to engage and disengage the controlling fixture along said adjustable telescopic means.
 3. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustable section of the table top includes a receiving slot which is a hollow bar having an opening at the upper end and the lower end mounted at the lower part of said leg frame assembly in an incline position adjacent said second mounting point; and an elongated supporting member fixed at the bottom surface of said adjustable section in a corresponding incline position to be slidably engaged in said receiving slot to provide extra balance and support to the table top
 4. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 2, wherein said adjustable telescopic means can be operated either mechanically or electrically, for example those mechanism or system that could provide upward and downward movements like piston and cushion, pneumatic cylinder, tube and rod, motor driven threaded cylindrical rod are all could be used.
 5. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 4, wherein said adjustable telescopic means pivoting location on said adjustable portion of said table top is at a proximity whereby said means can provide the equilibrium support to the table top at any height, and more than one of such means can be pivoted at equidistance to share the load if stronger support for said table top is required.
 6. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movable outer tube of said adjustable telescopic means includes a sliding inner tube slidable within said outer tube and said releasable angled fixture to engage and disengage said controlling fixture along said adjustable telescopic means via said sliding inner tube.
 7. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controlling fixture further comprising a resilient means with one end mounted to said compressible tapered portion and the other end mounted to the end of said movable outer tube, whereby said resilient means is compressed by the downward pressure when said releasable angled lever is engaged and pressed against said sliding inner tube in the downwards direction and the narrower part of said compressible tapered portion is pushed outwardly and the locking mechanism hence is released and disengaged., therefore enable said movable outer tube to slide along said stationary rod.
 8. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 3, wherein said elongated supporting member may includes roller and railing system or any equivalent in order to further assist smoother sliding upwards and downward movements of said adjustable section of the sofa table.
 9. A height adjustable sofa table comprising: a horizontal table top supported by a leg frame assembly, whereby said table top having at least a section being height adjustable; an adjustable telescopic means having a movable member with one end connected to the adjustable section of said table top at a first mounting point and a stationary member having the top surface slidably engaged with the bottom surface of said movable member with one end connected to the lower part of said leg frame assembly at a second mounting point acting like an inclined strut supporting load from said adjustable section of table top; and characterised in that a controlling fixture includes a slidable inclined block having a resilient gripper attached on the top surface with an elongated rod mounted through the entire length of said slidable inclined block, whereby said slidable inclined block is slidably engaged with a fixed inclined block at said stationary member to enable said resilient gripper releasably engage said movable member for adjusting said adjustable section of the table top at any desired level within the range of the allowable height.
 10. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 9, wherein said stationary member includes a channel along the length of said stationary member and a housing with said fixed inclined block at the inner bottom of said housing for accommodating said controlling fixture.
 11. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 9, wherein said elongated rod comprises a resilient means having one end connected to the wider part of said slidable inclined block and the other end with a stopper to prevent said resilient means further pushed out of said housing into said channel.
 12. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 9, wherein said slidable inclined block may further includes a guide block formed at the bottom surface of said slidable inclined block and said fixed inclined block further includes a passage for receiving said guide block for sliding thereto.
 13. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 9, wherein said adjustable telescopic means further comprising an releasable angled fixture loaded with resilient means pivotally mounted at the bottom surface of said adjustable table top section adjacent said first mounting point to engage and disengage the controlling fixture along said adjustable telescopic means.
 14. The height adjustable sofa table as claimed in claim 13, wherein said releasable angled fixture to engage and disengage said controlling fixture along said adjustable telescopic means is via said elongated rod of said slidable inclined block, whereby said adjustable section of the table top is raised when said releasable angled lever is engaged and pressed against said elongated rod in the downwards direction thus said controlling fixture is lowered by the downward sliding against said fixed inclined block to disengage said resilient gripper towards said stationary member and the locking mechanism hence is released and disengaged to enable said movable member to slide along said stationary member
 15. A height adjustable sofa table comprising: a horizontal table top supported by a leg frame assembly, whereby said table top having at least a section being height adjustable; an adjustable telescopic means having a movable member with one end connected to the adjustable section of said table top at a first mounting point and a stationary member having the top surface slidably engaged with the bottom surface of said movable member with one end connected to the lower part of said leg frame assembly at a second mounting point acting like an inclined strut supporting load from said adjustable section of table top; and characterised in that a controlling fixture includes a slidable inclined block having vertical plate which is partially incorporated at the rear part of said slidable inclined block to form a protrusion from the top surface and said vertical plate is releasably engaged with the movable member for adjusting said adjustable section of the table top at any desired level within the range of the allowable height. 